ants in the house

Pesky ants’ invasion into homes in New Mexico during the hot season is a challenge that most of the residents face every year. They can still be found sneaking in even though homeowners are tidy.

To keep ants away, it is crucial to find out what entices them into your house and how to deny them entrance. This comprehensive guide will explore in detail the major reasons why ants come into houses and offer recommendations on how to permanently avoid them.

What Attracts Ants into Your House?

Regrettably, your home interior supplies three essential elements that enable ants to live and flourish – food, water and a place of refuge. Let us take a closer look at how each of these appeals to ants and the ways of removing them.

Sugary, Starchy and Greasy Foods

There are numerous types of ants found in New Mexico that will be attracted to human and pet food commonly stored within homes. Sugar based foods such as syrup, honey, sugar, jelly and baked products made with sugar are large magnets for ants.

Other ants may be attracted by starchy items which people keep in their pantries such as pasta, rice, crackers flour cereal, bread etc. Also greasy protein rich foods like peanut butter nuts oil, and meats among others become common sources of food for these insects too.

Essentially any human food, pet food, sweets or beverages containing sugar or other food particles ants find delicious can lure them into your kitchen. Ants can detect even minute food spills, crumbs or sugary residues we can't see and will follow these scent trails directly to the source. They are also adept at chewing into paper or plastic pantry packaging to get at the tasty food inside.

The most effective way to remove food temptations that draw ants inside is to keep your kitchen scrupulously clean and transfer any pantry items into sealed containers. Always wipe down kitchen surfaces after cooking or eating to remove any crumbs or spills.

Promptly clean up any sugary spills like juice or soda. Never leave pet food dishes sitting out. Take out the garbage frequently so food waste doesn't accumulate. Check pantry items and shelves periodically for signs of ant activity.

Storing all food, pantry goods and pet food in airtight glass, plastic or metal containers removes the appeal for ants. Without accessible food sources sitting out, ants have no reason to invade your kitchen.

Accessible Water Sources

In addition to seeking out sugary and greasy food sources, ants also need water to survive. Any readily available water sources both around and inside your home can attract ants looking to quench their thirst. Leaky outdoor pipes or hoses, standing puddles, overflowing gutters, condensation on windows, and high indoor humidity provide open invitations for ants to come inside your living spaces.

To remove outdoor water attractions, make it a habit to walk around the exterior of your home periodically to check for any standing puddles, clogged gutters or overflowing flowerpots collecting water after rainstorms or from sprinklers.

Dump out any water pooling in old buckets, flowerpots, tarps, tires or debris so it doesn't become a water source for ants. Fix any leaky outdoor faucets, hoses, or sprinkler heads. Repair any damage to downspouts or drainage systems to prevent water from pooling against the foundation.

Indoors, periodically check under sinks, around plumbing fixtures and along baseboards for any moisture or small leaks that could attract pests. Look for condensation collecting around windows and AC vents as this provides an easily accessible water source for ants. Run dehumidifiers in damp basements or rooms to control humidity.

Cracks and Crevices in Your Home's Structure

In order to breed, expand and thrive, ant colonies need to build nests in protected areas away from predators and the elements. Very small cracks and gaps in your home's exterior siding or interior walls provide the ideal shelter for ants to establish colonies and thrive.

Ants can exploit even tiny cracks and crevices we might not notice because they are so extremely small. This allows them to take advantage of any vulnerable gaps or cracks in your home's structure, giving them easy access inside.

To deter ants from nesting on your property, closely inspect the outside of your home, especially near the foundation, windows, doors, eaves and attic vents. Look for any cracks, damaged sections, loose mortar, small gaps around pipes or wiring, and other potential access points for ants.

Seal up any entryways with caulk, expanding spray foam or other sealing materials to close off easy access for ants. Talk to a handyman about making more substantial repairs if you discover large gaps, cracks or sections of damaged siding that require reconstruction.

Indoors, thoroughly inspect along baseboards, in cabinets, around plumbing fixtures, and along attic walls for tiny cracks where ants could squeeze in and nest. Seal up any noticeable gaps with caulk.

Getting Professional Ant Extermination Services

Diligently following these ant prevention methods will significantly decrease your chances of indoor ant infestations. However, ants are resourceful insects that may still find sneaky ways to get into your home despite your best efforts.

When you have an ant problem that persists despite practicing vigilant prevention, it's best to turn to professional pest control companies for chemical treatments and extermination.

There are many different ant species found in New Mexico that require different solutions for effective elimination. Professional exterminators possess the expertise to accurately identify your specific type of ant and create a tailored treatment plan to completely wipe out the infestation.

They have access to more potent commercial-grade insecticides, baits and treatments that provide longer-lasting control than typical over-the-counter products available to homeowners. Professional exterminators also know where to strategically apply these chemicals both inside and outdoors for maximum, targeted impact on the ant colony.

Conclusion

Every spring and summer, ants come into the houses to be able to look for food, water and homes that can accommodate their large colonies. The way they enter a house is still a mystery even after ensuring that the home is cleaned up properly; achieving proper moisture control as well as sealing of all entry points that may facilitate an ant invasion.

Prevention involves always being prepared for it and taking care of such situations in time. If you understand what invites them and employ proper prevention measures plus professional treatments then undoubtedly, there won’t be any more ants invading your New Mexico property.